Bosh is no Gasol The game of Lebron and Dwayne takes away from each other IMHO won't be so effective even if they do sacrifices. Sometimes is just habit. It will be enough for taking the Lakers to 6 games though depending how old the Lake show looks. Cavs had chemistry during many years.....and a pretty homogenous team Celtics had pretty physical players in KG, and Pierce is no slouch on D, very good unit in terms of unity and versatility D and Bron are enforcers. They can pass but they are at their best when they finish.
They can't be worse. They will obviously win games. I just don't think they have what it takes to win the championship in the 1st season going through Magic/Celtics and ultimately Lakers. Hell they will have a tough time with us (especially with a healthy Team).
Bosh's defense is under-rated. He was on one of the worst defensive teams in the league - so no matter how good he was at defense their defense looked bad. But he's not a bad defender. And I expect he'll be stepping up his defense a notch on this team.
I still don't think they are going to be defensively dominate in their 1st season. Celtics had Tom T. Bulls had Phil Jackson who always got his teams to play really good defense. Heat have Erik...........
Well that's 2 more pieces to getting that ring, Riley is the Messiah talking these guys into taking less money to win a championship. I'll predict it right now, Miami beating the LAL in the NBA finals, I don't care how big that Laker front line is.
$14 million for a role player is a massive amount of money to give up, he will NEVER make that back. Wow. DD
All I am saying is, on paper they look beyond good. I withhold any comments till mid-season, when they actually play games against the top teams Celtics/Magics/Lakers/Mavs......etc
When the Heat hit their stride during portions of last season, they did it by putting Beasley on the bench, bringing in Haslem and shutting teams down late in games. Spoelstra can coach defense well enough. Guys like Wade and LeBron will make it easier for him. As a team, the Heat probably won't hit their stride next season, but their defense should be very good this season. Don't be surprised if Riles ends up on the bench.
And Pat Riley, who lead the Showtime Lakers, and winner of 5 rings, and is making this team into a copy of that. He has a plan, and it seems to be working quite well right now. Lebron, has a huge chance to lead the league in assists this year, will be fun to watch, and Bosh will step up his D now, with Riley at the helm.
With LeBron and Wade holding him accountable, Bosh will play better defense than he's ever played in his life. Especially since he won't have the burden of being the #1 option on offense. In fact, LeBron and Wade will hold everyone on their team accountable for playing hard on defense.
I think the games will be fun to watch. I will tune in. I just don't think i will be blown away until i see them dominate the best teams in the league with/without Riley (personally i don't think Riley is the X factor)
He doesn't have to be. They are relying on him to be their 3rd best player, not their 2nd like Gasol. Think about that. Bosh is a teams 3rd best player. How so? They are both very good on and off the ball, and both willing passers. I saw LeBron take the Celtics (the title winning ones) to 7 games with this team: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2008.html Who are the great bigs on that team? What outside shooters can you rely on that aren't streaky? That team didn't have a solid PG. Who the hell did they have to defend at the wing spot? And they still took Boston to 7, because they had one of the best players in the game. A player like LeBron, Wade or Kobe makes a huge difference. IMO, the current Miami team is better than that one as long as they add a dude like Big Z. Wade is clearly better than anyone on that 08 team. Give me Bosh/Haslem over their PF's. Etc. They don't need studs at all positions, just dudes to play defense, rebound and hit open shots.
NO WAY!! that's impossible!! damn LeClown must offer something undertable like getting some commercial or endorsement for Haslem! $14 millions is huge for a player like Haslem, and yeah, he got a ring already! I think we can expect some commercials for Miller/Haslem w/ the Big3 for maybe ESPN or NIKE Cheaters!!
Exactly as I put it in another thread. LeBr-yawn doesn't even have to promise it. His dumb entertainment company can promise it, obliquely. But look at this now. They have five pieces. Four of them entering their 8th year, and one (Miller) entering his 10th year. Somebody oh somebody is going to be either sharply declining or injuried, or both. At least one of those five guys will be basically off the roster, in effect.
Kobe is the undisputed wing player there. If we are strictly talking about the playoffs and viewing the performances of Lebron and Wade last year, those were not brilliant and they did not advance. They play alot with the ball, Wade is no Allen, and they are better slashers and 3 point shooters Wade is not the best passer, Lebron is good but not that good. Both are world class athletes and finishers I stated before. Make no mistake, the US team had Chris Paul and Deron I guess and Howard as Center
